What you should look out for

Environment off, music on. ANC headphones have long since overtaken models without noise suppression. But what is actually behind them? How does the technology work? We’ll tell you what you need to look out for when buying ANC headphones.

ANC headphones: What are they anyway?

ANC – you’ve probably seen these three letters before. And you may even have a rough idea of what they stand for. ANC stands for “Active Noise Canelling” or “Cancellation ” – depending on the interpretation. Translated, it means something like “Active Noise Cancellation”.

And that’s exactly what the headphones do. They ACTIVELY suppress noise from the environment with the help of the technology built into them. The opposite part is passive noise suppression, which is achieved by sitting over, on or in the ears.

With an ANC function, headphones measure the ambient noise (especially its intensity and frequencies) on the outside using microphones and send it to a chip on the inside for processing, which in turn emits a corresponding counter-signal at the same frequencies.

Ideally, both pitches should cancel each other out completely. +baby cry minus -baby cry equals zero baby cry. You could say that. So much for the theory. In practice, this now works very well, especially for low and monotonous noises. The wheat is separated from the chaff among ANC headphones when it comes to medium-high and high frequencies, which also change (now give the baby its milk!).

The best ANC headphones cope very well with all types of ambient noise. However, there are enormous differences, regardless of the price of the model. The design of the headphones also plays an important role here.

Tip: When making a purchase decision, it is also important to consider where you want to use your headphones. For example, outside and/or when doing sports. In contrast to most in-ear headphones, over-ear and on-ear models are almost never protected against water and dirt. (Check the IP certification before buying).

The Counterpart: What is Transparency Mode?

While the ANC mode actively blocks out ambient noise, the transparency mode uses the headphones’ microphones to capture external sounds and feed them into the audio playback in real time. This creates the impression of hearing your surroundings as if you were not wearing headphones.

Technically, this works through:

• Microphones: The headphones are equipped with external microphones that capture ambient sounds.
• Signal Processing: These sounds are processed in real time and mixed with music or other audio signals.
• Speakers: The mixed signal is played back through the headphones’ speakers, making the surrounding sounds audible.

The transparency mode ensures that audio signals are perceived naturally and at an appropriate volume. Voices, in particular, are clearly highlighted, making it easier to understand conversations.

Transparency Mode Amplifies Ambient Sounds

Benefits:

• Safety: The transparency mode is particularly useful in situations where it is important to be aware of your surroundings, such as in traffic or when crossing streets. This allows you to recognize approaching vehicles or other potentially dangerous situations in time.
• Communication: The mode allows you to have conversations without taking off the headphones. This is practical when you need to briefly talk to someone, such as in the office or on public transport.
• Situational Adaptation: In dynamic environments where you occasionally need to react to external stimuli (e.g., announcements at the airport), the transparency mode enables a quick adaptation without losing the comfort of the headphones.
• Increased Awareness: The mode helps you stay alert by making surrounding noises audible at the desired volume. This can be beneficial in the gym or during walks to hear instructions, alarms, or signals.

Over-ear, on-ear or in-ear: what types are there?

There are basically three different types of headphones:

• Over-ear headphones sit over the ears and enclose them completely
• On-ear headphones, on the other hand, rest on the ears
• In-ear headphones sit in the ear and thus offer the best passive noise suppression if they fit well

However, there are also huge differences depending on the design.

Over-ear headphones: usually the best ANC and top sound

Over-ear models, for example, offer the most space for the sound to unfold and therefore – in theory – the best sound quality. However, depending on the design and material of the ear pads, heat can build up and sweat can form as no fresh air reaches the ear.

Generally speaking, over-ear headphones have the best active noise suppression and the best sound.

On-ear headphones: Open, airy sound; weakest ANC

On-ear models, on the other hand, are usually lighter and more compact. The seal is not as good due to the fit on the ears. The semi-open or open design gives the sound additional spatiality, which some people prefer.

On the other hand, many people find on-ear headphones uncomfortable in the long term. This is one of the reasons why these models are somewhat sidelined – the selection here is much less diverse than that of their over-ear or in-ear counterparts.

In-ear headphones: best passive damping, rich sound but a risk to the eardrum

The third in the group is the in-ear headphones which, as the name suggests, sit in the ear. The shielding to the outside is correspondingly good, at least if you choose the right ear inserts.

In-ears are also smaller and a popular companion, especially when traveling. In contrast to the models outside the ear, the fit is even more crucial for good wearing comfort, as the models from different manufacturers differ greatly.

You can feel in-ear headphones in your ear. And you always do. You have to like that and, in the worst case, it can become very uncomfortable in the long term. In addition, in-ears sit very close to the eardrum and therefore put more strain on the ear when listening to loud music.

However, they offer the best bass response and sometimes an excellent, tight sound. In terms of ANC, most in-ear models are not quite at the same level as over-ear headphones, although some variants are now entering the realm of the best ANC headphones.

Buying the best ANC headphones: What you should look out for

So now you know what ANC is all about. But you still don’t know which are the best ANC headphones. The bad news is that there simply isn’t one best model.

Because, as with many things, personal preferences, circumstances and requirements for headphones also play an important role. After all, the best headphones for you should not only be able to block out ambient noise well, they should also sound good, right?

Note: Active noise cancellation can also be deactivated on all ANC headphones. Sometimes switching ANC on and off also has an effect on the sound.

For some, a long battery life is just as important, others prefer a lightweight design and still others attach great importance to the quality of the built-in microphones in order to be prepared for video calls on the go or in the office.

Even if personal requirements differ greatly, there are a few points that you should pay particular attention to when buying ANC headphones:

• Wearing comfort: Very important. What good are headphones that sound good and provide great isolation if they are not comfortable? It’s best to try them on before buying, as there are huge differences here.
• Sound: How good do the ANC headphones sound? This is of course also important, because listening to music is no fun with the sound of a tin can.
• ANC: If you buy the best ANC headphones, you naturally expect the active noise reduction to be up to scratch.
• Transparency mode: The counterpart to ANC, in which ambient noise and voices are amplified. Here, too, there are huge differences in quality.
• Battery life: Do the headphones only last 3-4 hours? Or are they also a loyal companion on longer journeys?
• Wireless range and codecs: How long is the range? Can I go into the kitchen with the headphones? And are there any high-resolution codecs that provide better sound?
• Operation: This (also) depends on your preferences. Do you prefer touch-sensitive controls or classic buttons?
• Other features: Other functions can also play an important role in the purchase decision. Bluetooth multipoint, for example, allows simultaneous connection to two different audio sources.